Secretary-General's video message for the Opening of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Current efforts have fallen short of the goal to eliminate the illicit drugs market.

With the UN General Assembly Special Session consensus as our blueprint, we can promote efforts to stop organized crime while protecting human rights, enabling development, and ensuring rights-based treatment and support.

I am particularly proud of the results of the reforms I introduced in Portugal when I was Prime Minister, almost twenty years ago.

I have called on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to develop a comprehensive strategy that works across the three pillars with other UN entities to advance our efforts.

Together, we have an opportunity to chart a better and balanced path for decades to come.